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Monday, July 30, 2012

Germany: German newspapers not impressed with Romney's overseas performances

Der Spiegel

The World From Berlin 'Romney Has Already Disqualified Himself'

Republican contender Mitt Romney heads to Poland on Monday, the
last stop of an overseas tour that has already taken him to England and
Israel. So far, German newspapers have not been impressed with his
performance, citing embarrassing verbal blunders and superficial
political posturing.

REUTERS

US Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney spoke in Jerusalem's Old City on Sunday.

Republican
contender Mitt Romney heads to Poland on Monday, the last stop of an
overseas tour that has already taken him to England and Israel. So
far, German newspapers have not been impressed with his performance,
citing embarrassing verbal blunders and superficial political posturing.

In addition to raising money, the seven-day trip to visit important
American allies was supposed to burnish presumed Republican nominee Mitt
Romney's foreign policy credentials. He started out last week in London
where he met with Prime Minister David Cameron ahead of the Summer
Olympics. Over the weekend he went on to Israel where he met with Prime
Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

But so far, Romney's trip has not had the intended effect. In London he
drew fire for clumsy gaffes. In an interview on US television Romney
called preparations for the games "disconcerting," questioning the
adequacy of security personnel and the possible strike by immigration
and customs officials. "That obviously is not something which is
encouraging," he said.
Though he later praised the Olympics, the damage was already done.
London mayor Boris Johnson rebuked the Republican in front of a
screaming crowd of about 60,000. To make matters worse, Romney revealed
what was supposed to be a secret meeting with the British foreign
intelligence agency MI-6 and awkwardly called Labour leader Ed Miliband,
"Mr. Leader."

Warmer Welcome
In Jerusalem, Romney received a warmer welcome from Netanyahu -- the
two worked together at Boston Consulting Group after they finished
business school. In a speech Sunday evening in Jerusalem's Old City,
Romney made clear that he supports more American cooperation with
Israel. "We recognize Israel's right to defend itself and that it is
right for America to stand with you," said Romney, who suggested that he
might be open to Israeli military action.

US President Barack Obama has also reiterated Israel's right to
defend itself, but has been more cautious, discouraging military action
and saying that economic sanctions, including a recent European ban on
Iranian oil, should be given time. On Friday he signed a bill that will
step up American aid to Israel, also announcing $70 million in funding
to help the country advance "Iron Dome," a short-range missile defense
system that has already been successful in stopping rocket attacks in
places like the Gaza Strip.

Romney sought to distinguish himself from Obama's Middle East policy,
calling for a tougher stance on Iran, and saying that the America's
"highest national security priority" should be keeping the country from
obtaining nuclear weapons.

On Monday, German newspapers criticized Romney's visit to Israel as a shallow effort to win over Jewish voters in the US.

"Travel educates. As a result one should
assume that Mitt Romney, the Republican challenger of Barack Obama,
wants to learn something during his visit to Israel. Wrong! Almost
everything that the candidate organized in Jerusalem fuels the
impression that he doesn't want to try understanding how complicated the
Middle East situation is. Instead, Romney paints the crisis region in
black and white: Israel is good and the rest -- the Palestinians and
the mullahs in Iran -- are lumped together."

"This one-sided world view is less dumb than it is coldly calculated.
Romney is soliciting campaign donations in Jerusalem (the minimum price
for two plates at breakfast is $50,000.) And he is ensnaring Jewish
voters at home."

"The trip to Israel may help Romney in the short-term. But in the
long-term the Republican has done damage. The Middle East needs the US
as a mediator. As such, the presidential hopeful has already
disqualified himself."-- Renuka Rayasam